London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]

[Colin McDonald]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-46623754

Tens of thousands of passengers have been disrupted by drones flying over one of the UK's busiest airports.

Gatwick's runway has been shut since Wednesday night, when two devices were seen flying over the perimeter fence.

The airport said a drone had been spotted "in the last hour" and the runway would not open "until it was safe to do so".

About 110,000 passengers on 760 flights were due to fly on Thursday. Disruption could last "several days".
Those due to travel have been told to check the status of their flight, while Easyjet told its passengers not to go to Gatwick if their flights have been cancelled.

Looks like a sustained effort to cause maximum disruption. It will be interesting to see where this leads in the UK regarding the availability of UAVs for the general public.

[Rob Cantwell]

Been watching this unfold on news channels here, apparently the authorities suspect two drones being flown at intervals, probably on pre-programmed flight paths.

I'd think it would be difficult to put that particular genie back in the box given the proliferation of them at this stage!

[Ronald Jackson]

"Illegal to use or possess a drone without a permit. Illegal to import sell or rent a drone without a permit."

Could be done and I suspect will be.

Ron

[Gary Huff]

Originally Posted by Ronald Jackson

"Illegal to use or possess a drone without a permit. Illegal to import sell or rent a drone without a permit."

For the type of drones that were used here, sure. These weren't DJI drones. Those are geofenced.

[Brian Drysdale]

Apparently, you can hack drones if you've got the know how.

In this case it may be a "commercial" sized drone.

[Gary Huff]

Originally Posted by Brian Drysdale

In this case it may be a "commercial" sized drone.

"Police have described the devices as “industrial” models and are treating the incident as “a deliberate act to disrupt the airport”.

Hacking is not necessary, and larger models are definitely more ideal.

[Paul R Johnson]

The rumour mill here is in overdrive. Far more to this than casual aerial vandalism.

[Roger Gunkel]

What is really worrying is the fact that none of the agencies were able to stop the drones from overflying the airport or even track them back to where they were launched from. It has exposed a massive hole in national security and the weaknesses in the security technology.

We have all come to believe what we see in blockbuster films, where everything that goes on around us can be monitored. Inspite of all the electronics, radar and security surrounding large airports, the people operating these drones were able to carry on for days, disrupting hundreds of flight and thousands of peoples lives. Dozens of police and vehicles were unable to find where they were coming from, and radar did not appear to be able to track them, even though air and ground monitoring radar is assumed to be quite sophisticated.

What would have happened if the drones were armed in some way or capable of dropping highly volatile dangerous chemicals. If there was no protection around a modern airport, how easy would it be to mount a concerted attack from inner cities onto government buildings, tourist centres, sports stadiums etc, where there would be even less aerial monitoring at low level.

Whatever happens now, the honeymoon period for drone users will be over and draconian measures are sure to be taken against usage and probably purchase.

As a postscript, two people were arrested this morning on suspicion of being involved, after military tracking equipment was brought in.

Roger

[Andrew Smith]

One of the reports of the arrest has stated that the couple were part of an ecological activist group and were from a nearby village due to be adversely affected by the planned expansion of the airport. Whatever it is, it's going to be interesting getting to the bottom of this one.

Andrew

[Gary Huff]

Originally Posted by Roger Gunkel

What is really worrying is the fact that none of the agencies were able to stop the drones from overflying the airport or even track them back to where they were launched from. It has exposed a massive hole in national security and the weaknesses in the security technology.

How, exactly, would you do this?

[Roger Gunkel]

Originally Posted by Gary Huff

How, exactly, would you do this?

Precisely, how would you do it? Which is why it is a big hole in the security!! Or are you asking me if I could do better than the security authorities? How would you do it exactly?

Roger

[Gary Huff]

How about you don’t demand solutions when there may not even be a solution.

[Rob Cantwell]

lots of conflicting reports circulating now, even one coming from Sussex Police from BBC
'A man and woman arrested in connection with drone sightings have been released without charge.

Sussex Police said there had been 67 reports of drone sightings - having earlier cast doubt on "genuine drone activity".

Det Ch Supt Jason Tingley said no footage of a drone had been obtained. And he said there was "always a possibility" the reported sightings of drones were mistaken.'

[Ronald Jackson]

Hovering Kestrels?

Ron

[Jim Michael]

Swamp gas.